Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Struggling with the Winter Blues

Winter is always a struggle for me. I tend to hibernate. I don't like to leave home. I wrap myself in a blanket and stick my nose in the TV. I can't even seem to get lost in a book right now. It is cold outside and it will get colder.

Old Man Winter

The weatherman is forecasting an ice-storm for the weekend. We had an ice storm here a few years ago which took out our power for a week. I cannot deal with that again. I hope all the cutting on the trees that was done last summer will spare us from another year like that. Even though the days are shorter they seem so much longer.Do any of you deal with being down in the dumps in the winter? I was reading an article about "winter blues" the other day and one of the things which was recommended was to get outside. What??? That is why I hate winter. It's cold out there. But they said, "get outside, stay warm". I have to admit that I laughed out loud. But I'm sure they know what they are talking about.Other things that were advised is to eat healthy. I try to do that all the time. But I guess now it is really important. I love to eat. But I need to try to be more healthy. I will work at eating more salads. We don't think about eating fruits and vegetables in the winter, do we?Okay that is enough whining for the day. I'm going to get off this office chair and pour myself a glass of wine. (Not whine). Slice myself a bit of cheese. And I'll get back with you soon.

45 comments:

Hi Paula - good luck ... a quick! march round the blog or into a park .. really does help - fresh air and exercise is good - though not always what we want ... a bit of both at times can't do us any harm ... good luck though.

We might have thunderstorms snow ... cold air (very: for us!) hits warm land, or air and then it snows and the thunder storms ... it often snows here at this time of year ... but I do hope we're not inconvenienced! Good luck ... fruit rather than cheese? Cheers Hilary

I am prone to depression anyway, so yes, winter can be horrible. You know we have other struggles since our move overseas, so I have to say "I hear you!" As for getting outside, now that my only mode of transportation is walking, as cold as it is, breathing the fresh air and feeling the sun on my face this morning was actually uplifting. Try it. Just a walk around the block. Then have a nice cup of cocoa (or glass of wine) on your return.

For me It’s too easy and convenient to use winter weather as an excuse to hibernate and be inactive. We live on the main drag in our community. It’s the main and only route in and out. I have my hibernation/knitting chair set up in front of the fire place. In my direct view is the front door with side light windows. As I sit in my chair, I catch glimpses of activity going on outside. There are people who walk every single day, at the same time. It doesn’t matter the weather. They walk in the rain, sunshine, 90º weather or even snow. As they pass by my window, I sigh and think, “I should be doing that.” How about this, Paula, want to take a walk around the block with me?

I don't think I am using it as an excuse (maybe I am) but I don't get out and drive in snow and ice and I strongly dislike cold. I have to drive Harley to work almost everyday so I am not totally hibernating! I like the vision of you knitting in front of the window watching people!

January was a hard month for me since it seemed like it was cold or just long with the nights being so dark, etc., so I understand what you are feeling Paula. Maybe make an effort to get out a little bit every day, even if it is just a walk around the block, just bundle yourself up a bit. I know when we lived in Montana and still had a dog, I walked him every day even in the extreme cold. It probably was good for both of us. Take heart, every day gets us closer to spring!

Winter can definitely be a more unpleasant time of year as one gets older. I identify with that desire to hibernate! I'm not retired, so I don't have the option of staying in, which I suppose is a good thing. But I do think when you're down in the dumps, it's good to get out, whether to exercise or socialize with others - both are important in boosting mood (depending on whom you hang with!). Eating well helps too!

Winter is always a down time for me. I must have that SAD disease. I could sleep and sleep some more. Hibernation is usually my winter mode. It's the lack of sunshine and so many days inside that do it to me. Tis winter has been a constant battle. I would like to take more afternoon naps but there is so much to do.

I hear where you're coming from. (I thought it was a bit quiet over here.) I hate the thought of getting out when it's cold or wet but I do feel better if I do. Or even just keep busy during the day. Not been out today though - been raining a lot and now it has turned to snow. Hopefully it is too wet for it to settle and stay. Eating salad during the cold weather doesn't appeal. I'd rather have a hearty casserole with lots of veg. Take care Paula.

It rained here all night complete with thunder and lightning. It is gloomy. I'm with you. I do not care to leave home. I'd like to just sit with a blanket in front of a TV. To that end I jusdt signed up for Netflix.

Look at all these wonderful comments people have been offering! (Yes . . . I admit to reading comments on the blogs I visit.) My husband, Officer Friendly, had been diagnosed with SAD before I met him and the first thing I did for him after we married was to buy the kind of light needed for light therapy. Each day, he would sit in a chair under that light while he read the newspaper. It seemed to help. But then we were good at getting out and about together too. Love your question regarding thinking/not thinking about fruits and vegetables in the winter. Carbs can be so much fun! I have set a goal of eating a green salad every day. I didn't think I would care for it in the cold weather, but so far so good. I've been diligent. I don't know if I get the winter blues. It has never felt like it, but I've thought about it more as I get older. The mayo clinic website does have information about SAD in case you want to see what the have to say. Curling up under a blanket does sound pretty appealing, however. LOVED your Old Man Winter image. Brrrrr!

I read some comments on blogs, but not all of them. I don't think I suffer from SAD. I am just sad that it is cold and winter! Those who suffer SAD have a real problem. I have heard about those lights and have heard they do work. I'd just rather curl up and read! And wait for warm weather.

We usually don't get too blue. Mildly blue some days. We ride the bike to nowhere and get outside even if it is below zero. We walk inside the house, we make a big circle and as soon as it gets above zero and sunny I will sit outside. Sunshine really helps me. I think it is important to have goals at least that works for me...and yes shortly I am headed for the couch and a warm corn bag to watch a movie because dinner is in the oven...roast pork, carrots and potatoes:) We get cabin fever more than anything else...today it is -50 with the wind chills and we are not going anyplace except outside with Chance:)

Gosh, but I feel like the odd-man-out. I LOVE winter!True, I never experienced a season quite like what y'all endure in Kansas .... and never an ice storm. ... and true, I don't think ANYone likes being cold. But, it's so much fun getting warm again. Hmmmm, I feel a post coming on. :)

You need to experience Kansas for a few winters and you would probably have your fill of cold weather. Although I know there are people who prefer it. I am a warm weather girl myself. The hotter the better!

Those who have seasonal affected disorder (I think that's what it's called) supposedly benefit from those bright natural light lamps. You may just need light. Fingers crossed that the ice storm passes without incident.

My son-in-law sent a SAD light to me and it seems to help on those gray days. I keep it in my sewing room and try to sew for at least an hour every day. Some days I just recline and watch TV and doze the day away. I am old enough to not feel guilty!

Use to love winter, hunting season. Nothing better then getting bundled up and getting in the fields, watch the dogs work, hearing the laughter when you wife gets a bird, and just enjoying the exercise. Then she went down, the knees started giving up and the fun was leaving. Back in those days I was a fit 189, scales the last doctors visit said 227 and I thought heavy. Doc said she would worry more about me if i wasn't gain, meaning I wasn't enjoying thus Louisianan food. Most exercise now days is walking to the mail box and carrying the bills backs, with the paper and weekly the trash cart. Or rocking away the day watching the traffic

I have seasonal affective disorder but I keep it in check with massive doses of vitamin d, try to spend time in front of a light box, and I always have at least one event on my calendar that I can look forward to. Hang in there!

Yes. Winter has always been hard for me. 2 years ago my husband bought me a sun-light. It works for me. I've lived with depression since I was a child - not that I was always depressed but I am prone to it. I try to sit in natural sunlight as much as I can. Eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies helps too.

Honestly, what else can you do in the winter, but stay home, and keep warm. Sounds good to me.

I don't know that I get the winter blues...certainly not down here on the Texas Gulf Coast. I may have had them back in South Carolina, but that has been so long ago that I just can't remember.

What I get are the rainy day blues. One summer here was especially difficult. It rained all.summer.long! Not one single sunny day for 4 months straight. It really freaked with my claustrophobia after awhile. I couldn't breathe at times. I felt closed in by all the clouds. There was not even a peep of blue in the sky there were so many clouds. I think this got to all of us, the whole town.

I love veggies and salads all throughout the year. For the most part, I could go vegetarian, maybe even vegan, with no problem. What is your favorite salad dressing? Mine is Ken's Steakhouse Buttermilk Ranch.